Unspoken Loss: Resilience Through Grief, Trust, and Repair ft. Dr. Elliott Kronenfeld

In this episode of Resiliency The Podcast, Jenn Quader and Dr. Kelly Culver welcome Dr. Elliott Kronenfeld for a powerful conversation about resilience in our most intimate relationships.

Dr. Kronenfeld is a therapist, author, educator, and relationship expert whose work explores the intersection of emotional healing, relationship science, trust, grief, and personal transformation. Through his Couples by Intention framework, he helps individuals and couples move from reactive patterns into conscious choice, curiosity, and deeper connection.

We discuss what happens when relationships face rupture—through infidelity, infertility, identity shifts, grief, and unspoken pain—and how resilience can become a practice of intentionality, listening, and repair.

Dr. Kronenfeld also shares insights from his book Unspoken Loss: Men, Infidelity, and Disenfranchised Grief, helping us understand the grief that often goes unnamed, unsupported, or misunderstood.

In this episode, we discuss:
  • Why resilience begins with remembering we have a choice 
  • How curiosity can interrupt assumptions and emotional reactivity 
  • Why listening is one of the most important relationship skills 
  • What it means to rebuild trust after rupture 
  • The difference between forgiveness, trust, and security 
  • Disenfranchised grief and “shadow losses” 
  • Infidelity, infertility, shame, and unspoken grief 
  • How breath, yoga, and nervous system regulation support resilience 
Dr. Kronenfeld reminds us that resilience is not only personal, it can also be relational. It can live in the space between people, in the choice to listen, repair, rebuild, and begin again with intention.

Chapters
00:00 — Introduction to Dr. Elliott Kronenfeld
 02:14 — What resilience means to Elliott
 04:00 — Curiosity as the opposite of assumption
 05:38 — Why listening is a relationship skill
 08:50 — What leadership teaches us about relationships
 12:18 — Resilience inside intimate relationships
 13:15 — Rebuilding trust after infidelity
 16:41 — Why repair means building something new
 21:26 — Understanding disenfranchised grief
 30:37 — Shadow losses and unspoken grief
 36:48 — Infertility, grief, and what often goes unsaid
 38:41 — Intention, choice, and long-term relationships
 43:18 — A powerful lesson from Elliott’s grandmother
 45:34 — Breath, yoga, and nervous system regulation
 48:13 — Rapid fire questions
 51:20 — How to practice resilience in everyday moments
 52:21 — Where to find Dr. Elliott Kronenfeld
 
 
About Dr. Elliott Kronenfeld
Dr. Kronenfeld is a certified sex therapist and sex therapy supervisor, licensed social worker, author, TEDx speaker, educator, and veteran. He has a Ph.D. in Human Sexuality, Master of Clinical Social Work, and Master of Organizational Communication.
 
Learn more about Dr. Kronenfeld:
Website: https://drelliottk.com/
Global Sanga: https://globalsangha.com/

Books
Unspoken Loss: Men, Infidelity, and Disenfranchised Grief: https://unspoken-loss.com/

About Resiliency The Podcast
Resiliency The Podcast is a global conversation with leaders, investors, creators, and everyday changemakers aimed at redefining resilience in today’s ever-evolving world.

Hosted by Jenn Quader and Dr. Kelly Culver, each episode offers stories, strategies, and inspiration to help listeners embrace change, overcome challenges, and find strength through community.

🔗 Resources & Links: 
Check out the RTP shop! https://allcreates.myshopify.com/
 📲 Follow the RTP! - https://resiliencythepodcast.com
 
Follow Jenn Quader:
 https://www.jennquader.com
 https://www.thesmartagency.com

Follow Dr. Kelly Culver:
 https://www.culvergroup.ca

Please like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who needs a reminder that resilience is not a solo journey.

DISCLAIMER: THE OPINIONS OR VIEWS EXPRESSED DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT OR REPRESENT THOSE OF THE HOSTS OR RESILIENCY THE PODCAST; SUCH VIEWS ARE MERELY OPINIONS EXPRESSED. THE INFORMATION IN THIS EPISODE IS FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY AND GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES. RESILIENCY THE PODCAST CANNOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY OF ANY STATEMENTS FROM GUESTS OR THE SUFFICIENCY OF THE INFORMATION. 

Creators and Guests

Dr. Kelly Culver
Host
Dr. Kelly Culver
Dr. Kelly Culver holds the world’s first doctorate of resiliency, having received her PhD in strategic resilience from the Paris School of Business. She is a seasoned global leader with 34 years of experience as a founder, director, entrepreneur, strategist, and executive coach.
Jenn Quader
Host
Jenn Quader
Jenn Quader is an American CEO, TEDx speaker, vocalist, writer, poet, and musical theatre enthusiast. Her personal mission is to empower the next generation of confident communicators by sharing her voice in the global movement toward empathetic and human-first business leadership.
Asef Quader
Producer
Asef Quader
Asef Quader is a writer, producer and director based in Orange County, California. A 20-year marketing and advertising expert, his passions surround bringing stories of resiliency to life… along with eating good food and drinking good wine.
Unspoken Loss: Resilience Through Grief, Trust, and Repair ft. Dr. Elliott Kronenfeld
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